High School Summer Internships built with your future in mind
This isn’t just a summer job — it’s a PAID opportunity to gain real-world experience with businesses right here in West Virginia. WV Ready businesses are committed to helping you learn, grow, and explore career paths that interest you.
You’ll earn a stipend, build workplace skills, and complete a capstone project that showcases what you’ve learned.
Explore the businesses below and check out the FAQ to find the opportunity that’s right for you.
DEADLINE: Tuesday, April 7th
Participating Businesses & Open Positions
Want to work outdoors and be part of the crew that keeps the power on? You’ll assist line mechanics with hands-on tasks like setting poles, handling equipment, and learning how electrical distribution systems work. This is a physically active role where safety, teamwork, and skill-building come first.
Eligible Counties: Berkeley, Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Marshall, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Ohio, Putnam, Raleigh, Wayne, Wyoming
Stipend amount: $2600
Weekly Hours: 40
Career Clusters: Energy & Natural Resources
Not sure what you want to do yet? This internship gives you exposure to multiple career paths at Appalachian Power — from engineering technology to line work to customer service. It’s a great way to explore your options and see how a major energy company operates behind the scenes.
Eligible Counties: Cabell, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam, Kanawha
Stipend amount: $550
Weekly Hours: 8
Career Clusters: Business Management & Administration, Energy & Natural Resources
Step inside a global manufacturing leader and learn how teamwork, problem-solving, and continuous improvement drive success. You’ll explore concepts like kaizen and design thinking while working on an engaging, hands-on capstone project. This is a great opportunity for students who enjoy thinking analytically, improving systems, and figuring out how things work.
Eligible Counties: Putnam
Stipend amount: $2000
Weekly Hours: 30
Career Clusters: Advanced Manufacturing
Get hands-on experience in the natural gas industry while learning what it means to be a true professional. You’ll explore a specific area of interest within the company and build real workplace skills along the way. This is a great fit for students who are responsible, curious, and ready to take their work seriously. Work location will be determined based on the the Hope Gas Location that you are closest to.
Eligible Counties: Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Lewis, Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Ritchie, Wood
Stipend Amount: $3200
Weekly Hours*: 40
Career Clusters: Energy & Natural Resources
*This internship lasts 5 weeks rather than 4 weeks
Want to see how a nonprofit makes a difference in education across West Virginia? You’ll support our team with a variety of projects — from research and planning to helping move important initiatives forward. This role is great for adaptable students who are ready to jump in and help wherever needed.
Eligible Counties: All West Virginia Counties
Stipend amount: $1000
Weekly Hours: 20
Career Clusters: Education & Training, Government & Public Administration
Be the face of the guest experience at one of the state’s top resorts. You’ll help with check-ins, answer questions, and make sure guests feel welcome from the moment they arrive. If you enjoy helping people and staying organized in a fast-paced environment, this role is for you.
Eligible Counties: Ohio, Marshall, Brooke
Stipend amount: $1700
Weekly Hours: 35
Career Clusters: Hospitality, Events, & Tourism, Business Management & Administration
Interested in weddings, events, or behind-the-scenes planning? You’ll help coordinate weddings, conferences, and special events — learning how big events go from idea to execution. This is perfect for students who love organization, creativity, and working as part of a team.
Eligible Counties: Ohio, Marshall, Brooke
Stipend amount: $1700
Weekly Hours: 35
Career Clusters: Hospitality, Events, & Tourism, Business Management & Administration
Love creativity and working with your hands? As a Design Assistant at Gillespies Events & Floral, you’ll help bring weddings and special events to life through floral arrangements, décor setup, and behind-the-scenes event preparation. This is a great opportunity for students who are artistic, detail-oriented, and excited to see their designs come together in real time.
Eligible Counties: Greenbrier
Stipend amount: $2400
Weekly Hours: 40
Career Clusters: Hospitality, Events, & Tourism
Curious about healthcare but not sure which path fits you? You’ll shadow and assist Concierge and Patient Advocate teams throughout the hospital, seeing firsthand how patient care extends beyond doctors and nurses. This is ideal for students who are compassionate, observant, and interested in the human side of healthcare.
Eligible Counties: Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan
Stipend amount: $1400
Weekly Hours: 20
Career Clusters: Healthcare & Human Services, Hospitality, Events, & Tourism
Curious about healthcare but not sure which path fits you? You’ll shadow and assist Concierge and Patient Advocate teams throughout the hospital, seeing firsthand how patient care extends beyond doctors and nurses. This is ideal for students who are compassionate, observant, and interested in the human side of healthcare.
Eligible Counties: Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan
Stipend amount: $1400
Weekly Hours: 20
Career Clusters: Healthcare & Human Services, Hospitality, Events, & Tourism
Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes before surgery begins? You’ll learn how surgical instruments are cleaned, sterilized, and prepared — playing a critical role in patient safety. This is a great fit for students who are detail-oriented, process-driven, and interested in science or healthcare operations.
Eligible Counties: Monongalia
Stipend amount: TBD
Weekly Hours: 35
Career Clusters: Healthcare & Human Services
Spend your summer bringing local history to life with the Greenbrier Historical Society! As a WV Ready Summer Intern at the North House museum, you’ll welcome visitors, lead engaging tours, support America 250 programming, and help promote community events—all while gaining hands-on experience in museum operations and public engagement. This in-person opportunity is perfect for students who love history, enjoy meeting new people, and want to make a meaningful impact in the Greenbrier Valley.
Eligible Counties: Greenbrier
Stipend amount: $1200
Weekly Hours: 24
Career Clusters: Arts, Entertainment, & Design, Hospitality, Events, & Tourism
Curious how houses, renovations, and construction projects come to life? As a Construction Intern with Adam Whanger Contracting, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the building process while working alongside experienced professionals on real job sites. From learning how to use tools and measure materials to helping prepare spaces for the next stage of construction, you’ll gain hands-on experience across multiple trades. This internship is perfect for students who enjoy working with their hands, being outdoors, and exploring careers in the skilled trades. By the end of the experience, you’ll walk away with practical skills, jobsite knowledge, and a better understanding of what it takes to build something from the ground up.
Eligible Counties: Greenbrier
Stipend amount: $1400
Weekly Hours: 40
Career Clusters: Construction
Frequently Asked Questions
The program is open to high school rising juniors and seniors in West Virginia. For 2026, that means high schoolers with the expected graduated year of 2027 and 2028 are eligible.
Yes! You’ll receive a stipend for your participation. It’s not an hourly job, but each stipend is set to be a competitive rate for the hours worked.
A stipend is a fixed payment provided to participants to support them during the program and recognize their time and contributions. Unlike hourly wages, it is a set amount rather than pay calculated by the hour. However, we determine stipend amounts carefully to ensure the compensation is fair and appropriate for the expected time commitment. More details as to how and when you will get paid will be covered in orientation after you have been selected.
If selected, you will be placed at the worksite closest to your location.
Internships typically last 4–5 weeks during the summer, depending on the business you’re placed with.
That depends on the internship! Some are more hands-on (like working outdoors or in a hospital), while others might involve office work and customer service. Check the descriptions to find the best fit for you.
WV Ready internships are focused on learning. You’ll get support from employees, complete a capstone project, and build skills for your future — and you’ll still get paid!
In general, it’s a final project where you reflect on what you learned during your internship. The capstone projects are developed by the business, so projects will vary based on the internship. On the final week of the internship, you will give a short presentation to representatives from your WV Ready business and the Education Alliance.
Nope! You just need to be reliable, willing to learn, and excited to explore something new.
You will choose which position you are applying for on the application. The application will also assess your work style and career preferences so that you can be considered for other positions as well. We’ll do our best to match you with a business that fits your interests and location. To ensure that you are considered for other positions, we suggest you submit another application selecting another position or state what other positions you want to be considered for in your short answer questions.
Yes, most internships require you to get to and from the job site on your own. Make sure to check the location and plan accordingly.
Each internship will have different expectations — some require professional clothes, others more hands-on attire. We’ll let you know what’s expected once you’re placed.
You’ll need to commit to being present during your internship dates, so plan carefully. Attendance is a big part of your success in the program. Missing too many days can result in being removed from the program.
No — we want to hear directly from you! This is your opportunity, and it starts with taking the first step yourself.
Still have questions?
Reach out to Allison Stickel, CAREERS Program Coordinator. She’s here to help you figure out if WV Ready Internships is the right fit and guide you through the process.
Are you a business interested in participating next year?
Fill out the short form below and we will reach out to you when the opportunity arises!